Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 87

Wei Zijun was taken aback by his words, then her lips curved into a smile, her eyes filled with mischief. "Since you're a lover, do you know what a lover is supposed to do? Ah, with such a gentle breeze and shimmering sunshine, I'm in a great mood and want to...here..." She pressed her face against He Lu's. "You should know what to do...take off your clothes first."

Seeing He Lu staring at him, unable to react for a long time, Wei Zijun burst into laughter.

“Since Feng wants it, how could He Lu refuse?” Before Wei Zijun’s laughter had stopped, He Lu had already begun to take off his clothes.

Thinking he was just putting on an act, Wei Zijun smiled and looked straight at He Lu with sparkling eyes.

He Lu faced it calmly, taking off his outer robe and inner garment one by one, revealing his smooth chest, broad shoulders and back, and powerful male body, which were exposed to Wei Zijun.

When He Lu went to take off the only remaining pair of underpants, Wei Zijun finally couldn't hold back and grabbed He Lu's hand. "He Lu, you, you really want to take them off?"

He Lu looked at the person in front of him and seemed to see a faint blush on their face. Ha! Where had all his usual flirting energy gone? "Didn't Feng want it? Doesn't that kind of thing require stripping naked?"

"Huh? Well... it shouldn't be in a place like this, where we'll get discovered." Wei Zijun remained stubborn and refused to back down.

He Lu stared at the face in front of him, looking down at her snow-white, slender hands. Her long, delicate fingers gripped his large hand tightly. He Lu felt a surge of emotion, and the image of her sucking on his fingers that day flashed through his mind. He remembered how he had kissed her so passionately once.

If only he could get drunk again, then he could do whatever he wanted. The thought had barely formed in his mind when, almost unconsciously, he grabbed her wrist and tightened his grip on her pulse.

Wei Zijun was startled, "He Lu, how dare you!"

He Lu had already moved closer, pinning her to the ground, his burning lips covering hers, sucking and licking.

Wei Zijun made a sound and struggled, but she was too weak to resist.

After a passionate kiss, He Lu breathed heavily, gently releasing his lips from her mouth, his eyes glazed as he looked down at the person beneath him. "Remember that kiss in the snow? This is my way of returning the favor. I remember, you even sucked on my tongue that day, sticking your tongue out."

Wei Zijun was so angry that she felt dizzy. He still wanted her tongue. "You clearly stuck out your tongue that day. It wasn't my request." After saying this, Wei Zijun immediately regretted it. She, the dignified Khan of the Western Turks, was actually discussing who should stick out their tongue with a subordinate. When did her IQ drop?

He Lu chuckled softly, "If you were still the Left Wise King, I would have devoured you long ago. That... how... two men... how?"

Wei Zijun's mouth dropped open in shock, then a smirk appeared on her lips. "Let me go, I'll teach you... um..."

Before she could finish speaking, He Lu blocked her mouth, his long tongue darting in and licking her tongue. Wei Zijun felt dizzy and began to pant. The burning kisses and licks ignited her body, and the stirring of his long tongue made her feel as if she were ascending to the clouds, gradually losing the will to resist.

Neither of the two men, who were panting, heard the sound of horses' hooves in the distance.

He Lu's large hand caressed her waist, and as he turned his body slightly to the side, his hand slid down from her waist to her buttocks, grabbing one of her buttocks and kneading it.

The violation jolted Wei Zijun awake, and she struggled violently. The two rolled over together. When they stopped, Wei Zijun cried out in pain, her head accidentally hitting a rock.

He Lu was startled and hurriedly checked. A small cut had been made behind her snow-white ear by a stone, and a trickle of blood was seeping out. He Lu felt a pang of heartache and lowered his head to kiss it, his burning lips sucking at the wound, trying to lick the blood clean.

When his subordinates arrived, they witnessed this scene. Shabolo Yabghu was pinning their Khan down, relentlessly kissing his ears. Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets; so this was really their Khan. Sigh.

When Wei Zijun saw those people, her eyes widened. At that moment, He Lu was still intently sucking behind her ear.

It's all over, all the prestige she built up is gone.

Wei Zijun struggled to her feet, casually brushed the grass off her body, and mounted her horse again.

Walking ahead, she awkwardly avoided looking at those people's faces, trying her best to adjust her mindset and pretend that nothing had happened.

He Lu looked completely satisfied, smacking his lips; even his blood tasted sweet.

The group moved forward in silence, the only sound the soft clatter of hooves. As they crossed the stream in the forest, they suddenly heard a torrential downpour of hooves, and the herd of wild yaks came rushing in like a whirlwind. Wei Zijun didn't want to hunt anymore, so she ignored them. When she turned her head, she felt as if she had overlooked something. When she turned her head again to look closely, she saw a small figure running frantically ahead of the yaks.

It's Ashina Dilan!

"Dilan—" Wei Zijun shouted, abandoning her horse and flying away like a bolt of lightning, cutting through the air. Just as the small figure was about to be trampled by the yak, she grabbed her and floated her more than five zhang away before they both fell to the ground.

"Why did you come here all alone! Don't you know wild animals are dangerous?" Wei Zijun said angrily, panting.

"I won't thank you, I want to die, I want to go with my mother." Di Lan's small body was still trembling, the fear from just now making her gasp for breath. After the fear subsided, she suddenly sobbed, "I miss my mother..."

Wei Zijun hugged Dilan tightly from behind, buried her head in her shoulder, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Dilan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to..."

Her eyes welled up, and a tear fell onto Dilan's shoulder.

She didn't do it on purpose... she didn't kill her intentionally...

Volume Two, Chapter Seventy-Seven: Old Feud

Taiji Hall is the most magnificent building in Daxing Palace. The tall hall stands on three platforms, with a majestic presence. It has a double-eaved hip roof with upturned eaves, white palace walls, green glazed tile roof ridge, black roof tiles, red lacquered pillars, and ochre-yellow brackets. The entire hall is magnificent, solemn, and simple, like a giant eagle descending from the sky, majestic, grand, and magnificent.

Li Tianqi, seated on the dragon throne, wore a crimson dragon robe. He seemed to carry the sun and moon on his shoulders and the stars on his back. His tall and imposing figure was majestic and noble. His handsome face was like that of a celestial being. His sharp gaze swept over the assembled officials, and he looked down upon all living beings as if he were sitting on a cloud.

"My beloved ministers, I have a thorn in my side. The Western Turkic army, like wolves and tigers, has repeatedly raided our borders, harassing our people and plundering our citizens. This is a thorn in the side of my Great Yu. I will not have peace of mind until the Western Turks are eliminated. Now, the Western Turks have suffered natural disasters, many livestock have died, their national strength is weak, and they have just finished a war with Tibet, leaving them exhausted. Now is the perfect time to send troops. What do you think, my beloved ministers?"

“Your Majesty, since Wei Feng ascended the throne, the border raids have decreased, and there haven’t been any in recent months. I believe that if we are to launch a campaign, we should at least have a pretext to silence public opinion,” said Zou Wenguang, the Grand Secretary.

"Your Majesty, I also believe it is not advisable to send troops. Wei Feng is a master strategist, having won countless battles with fewer troops. The Western Turkic herdsmen are all soldiers, and they have just acquired 100,000 warhorses from Tibet. Furthermore, although the Western Turkic Mo Dao is modeled after our Great Yu sword, it is far more formidable. Moreover, they are skilled in archery and horsemanship, moving like the wind, making them difficult to defend against. Although our national strength may seem weakened, if a war were to break out, our army might not necessarily win," General Zheng Zhuotang of the Right Valiant Army analyzed.

"Your Majesty, I also believe it is not advisable to go to war. The Western Turks have just had envoys exchange with Tibet, and it seems that Tibet intends to form an alliance with the Western Turks. If a war really breaks out, and if Tibet takes the opportunity to help the Western Turks... Songtsen Gampo is also a brave and powerful man, then we will be attacked from both sides..." Minister Wei Xiaozhong glanced fearfully at the person in the upper position.

Li Tianqi frowned. "What you all say makes sense. Let's discuss this further. You may all leave."

With a flick of his sleeve, he walked out through the side door of the main hall.

Wei Zijun, who had been woken up early in the morning by Ge Shufa, leaned lazily on the couch. Her black hair was adorned with a white jade crown, and her snow-white casual clothes were loosely tied, which made her look even more relaxed and noble.

"Khan, please forgive your subject. I have come to apologize to you today, and it comes from the bottom of my heart." Fujaxin and his son Fujaji knelt on the ground together.

"What crime has Jielifa committed?" He Lu couldn't help but cover his mouth and yawn again. He Lu saw this and the corners of his mouth turned up.

"I should not have allied with Tibet. I was confused for a moment and could not resist the temptation. I have made a grave mistake. I beg the Khan for forgiveness." Fuchaxin was very frank. The key point was that if he hadn't been frank, things would have been even worse. This Khan was cunning and ruthless. If he had known this earlier, why did he do it in the first place?

"Oh, you mean that collusion? I've been so busy lately that I forgot about it. But it's alright, it gives you a chance to conserve your energy, so you won't be caught off guard when I decide to send troops." Wei Zijun said calmly, a smile playing on her lips.

Fuchaxin trembled upon hearing this. "Khan, please spare me this time. I will never dare to do it again. Please, Khan, spare my Khotan."

Wei Zijun gave her a cold glance. "Such a humble plea is hardly the behavior of a great king. You will surely hold a grudge for today's humiliation and seek revenge in the future. If you mean it, stand up and speak. Stop hiding your true colors and show your true face."

Fuzha Xin's face flushed red and then turned pale. "Thank you, Khan." Fuzha Jimi looked at Wei Zijun with a hint of admiration.

“Fu Zha Xin, you should understand that I can make you the King of Khotan, or I can make you unable to be the King. But if I don’t pursue the matter, you must behave properly as a subject. If there is a next time, I will definitely crush Khotan.”

"Your Majesty, I have remembered this. I, Duan, will never again fail the Khan," Fuzha Xin replied cautiously.

"The matter of collusion seems trivial to me," Wei Zijun said, gazing up at the tent ceiling before suddenly turning back. "It's just the assassination attempt..."

"Khan, please forgive me, this was truly not my doing," Fuzha Xin hurriedly replied, his tone sincere.

"Fu Zhexin! Do you really not know? Do you know what will happen if you conceal this again and I find out?"

"I know that if that day ever comes, I would rather commit suicide before the Khan to atone for my sins."

"You two can go." He rubbed his temples. These two, father and son, were exceptionally cunning. He decided to let them keep watch for now and make sure they paid their taxes on time.

"Khan," Fucha Jimi suddenly said, "I wish to remain by your side and await your command."

Wei Zijun glanced at Fushe Jimi and showed a hint of surprise. "Alright, you should go back to Khotan. It's more suitable for you there."

“I am sincere and may remain as a hostage so that the Khan can better control Khotan.”

"Alright, you should go back." She didn't feel safe with this person; who would leave someone they didn't trust by their side?

Fu Sheji looked up and stared at her intently, his face filled with disappointment.

Wei Zijun waved her hand, and the two cautiously withdrew.

He slid back and lay down on the couch, saying lazily, "Geshufa, tell me about Reyikan. I think she's connected to the mastermind behind it all."

Geshufa responded and approached slightly. "Khan, in truth, the unification of the Western Turks is entirely your doing." Seeing Wei Zijun's surprised expression, he explained further, "Reyikan's father was Ashina Tong'e, the Shabolo Dilishi Khan. He was Ashina Nishu's younger brother. After inheriting his brother's Khanate, our Western Turks were in turmoil. The late king declared himself Khan and fought a great battle with Ashina Tong'e, which ended in a draw. Thus, the Ili River became the boundary, with each side residing in the north and south. The year you first arrived in the Western Turks, you devised a plan to lure Ashina Tong'e's minister, Silifa Tutun, and together with the late king, defeated Ashina Tong'e. Ashina Tong'e attempted to flee to Ferghana County, but you personally killed him on his escape route. Reyikan was captured by the late king and became his concubine."

Wei Zijun closed her eyes. So that's how it is. No wonder Re Yikan hates him. The hatred for being robbed is bearable, but how can the grudge of being murdered go unpunished? If it were her, she would have done the same. A wave of sadness washed over her. Re Yikan, she had ultimately wronged her.

Slowly opening her eyes, she asked, "Does she still have any relatives alive?"

"Her cousin, Ashina Bobu, her father's nephew, succeeded his father as Khan and occupied Nanting. It was you who led the troops to conquer Nanting, killed Ashina Bobu, and helped the late emperor unify the Western Turks. Her other brothers also died in the war."

"So that means almost everyone connected to her is gone?"

"That's roughly the case. However, I've heard that when Reyikan was in Beiting, she had an affair with her father's Yabghu—her cousin Ashina Buzhen. After her father was killed, Ashina Buzhen also pledged allegiance to the late king and was highly valued by him." After Geshufa finished speaking, his eyes lit up. "Khan, Ashina Buzhen has every reason and motive."

Wei Zijun nodded. "Investigate him."

"Yes." Geshufa responded and withdrew.

Only Wei Zijun and He Lu remained inside the tent.

Looking at that languidly reclining body, He Lu's heart began to beat erratically. If only it were just the two of them forever.

His blood flowed faster and faster, his mind raced, and all he could think about was the image of kissing that person. He cursed himself inwardly, wondering how he had become so vulgar, thinking about such things. It was all because of that person; that person had made him so despicable. He glanced at the person on the bed.

Noticing He Lu's gaze, Wei Zijun looked up and swept her eyes over. "He Lu, tell me, how did you gossip this time?"

Ever since the day she put Helu on the throne in front of the Tibetan envoy, Dieyun and Liu Yunde have stopped paying attention to her and even missed the grand hunt. Wei Zijun felt sad and helpless. These two knew that she cared about them, so they used this method to torment her.

However, under Wei Zijun's tutelage, the ministers all kept their mouths shut. They believed that the Khan must have had her reasons for saying this, and they never spread these rumors. So how did Dieyun and the others know? After pondering this for a while, they focused on Helu. It was very likely that this was his act of revenge. Besides, he had a history of doing such things.

Hearing her question, He Lu blinked as if he didn't quite understand, "Do you mean that day when we bit our tongues together?"

A blush crept onto Wei Zijun's fair face. "He Lu, remember, don't say anything carelessly in the future, especially in front of my two relatives. Do you understand?"

"What can't we say in front of them?" He picked up his teacup and smiled slyly.

Wei Zijun sat up. "If you don't understand what I'm saying, then say nothing! Don't say a single word!"

“That’s easy, you can just not say it, but…” He Lu blinked again, “Do I need to stay and serve you tonight?”

Wei Zijun was conflicted for a moment, then stood up and walked out.

"Um... I've already asked," He Lu quickly added. Wei Zijun stopped and turned her head. "What?"

"It was just two men, so that's how it was..."

Before she could listen closely, Wei Zijun turned and walked out of the tent. She thought he was just teasing her, but he turned the tables and teased her instead.

Outside the tent, a warm breeze blew gently, and wisps of green grass swayed in the wind. As she strolled along, her eyes caught sight of a small figure. The little one stared at her from afar, motionless and silent.

Wei Zijun's lips curled into a smile, then she put her thumb and forefinger in her mouth and whistled. A magnificent Akhal-Teke horse, draped in golden satin, galloped towards them.

Wei Zijun mounted her horse and galloped away. As she passed the small figure, she bent down and swept Ashina Dilan up in her arms.

"Let me go! You murderer!" Ashina Dilan grabbed Wei Zijun's arm and bit her hard.

Wei Zijun winced in pain, but still endured it.

The clenched teeth finally relaxed, and the person silently lowered their head.

They sped along, the wind blowing Ashina Dilan's hair and lifting the hem of Wei Zijun's robe.